Garment



June 7, 1949. H. H. BRUDERLIN 2,472,281

GARMENT Filed Sept. 25, 1947 IN V EN TOR. flay 2y 521/0524 //x MAffOQ/Vfy Patented June 7, 1949 U 0 Fl CE GARMENT Ronni! Braderlin,Venice, Calif.

Application-September 23, 1947', Serial No. 775,704

with the shoulder straps=removed andnisheld in.

place by high circnmferentiartens'ion; 'The'disadvantage of "thistype'is obvious When'it'is' considered that the liody'circnm'lerenceexpands and contracts two inches or more in normal breathing.

If'the garment is tight: enough'with theibreath i exhaled" it will tightwith the breath inhaled, and therefore it restricts-normal breathing. Onthe other hand; if thertenslonisreduced sufliciently-"to allow normalhreathing-withcomfort, it will be toolooseto stay in placeuvith" thebreath exhaled; Efiorts' -h'ave been made'to overcome thisrlii'ilcultyby them'senf elastic-"materia'l at some point in" perlphewhut material in tension: cannot" accommodate; this much change indimension without excessivetens'ion which causes discomiortz In order toinsure thatthls-type oifbra-ssiere does not slipdownwardi it lsnecessary"to provide tie material at the'trcnt center: ei'tlie garment at alevel'near the-top of theicnps. Consequently this type isnot suitablefor usewith dresses having deep necklines since'thetiememberwould bevisible.

Another type makes useaor substantially-the same basic member describedabove botincluds wire stays of various kinds adaptewto stlfien orsupport local areasof thebrasslere: Whilethls type is generallymoresatislactorypit -isnota complete solutionto theprohlemvb'ecansecitis likewise maintained in positiononly-hyscircumferential'tension in tlierfahric which results thedisadvantagesmentloned above:

Another drawback of all types of' strapless. brassieres known: up tothis: time thatthey require a band across the'bucli; usually-including"a detachablet'astener in center-of theback. In addition :to'theinconrenienceef "such-"an arrangement, the backstrap. in: the case ofj a 'pathing-suit brassiere. prec'hidesthe possihtlityct building-openeven coat above;

' to move with respectto each other.

Gmisequently, aswoman who wearsza bathing suit provided with such abrassiere is unable to wear a backless evening gown because of theunsightly mark produced.

The invention described in my co-pending application overcomes all ofthe difiiculties" presented by; previous types of brass-ieres and alsopossesses various additional advantages .as outlined in saidapplication. The present invention {a more simplified constructionpossessing practicallyall oftheadvantages of my previous invention andincorporates several improvements thereover.

As in the previous case; the brassite'of this invention incorporates acompletely self supporting frame and-does not rely for any of itssupporton-thefabrlc of the 'brassiere proper which is thereiorefreetoperform the sole function of supportin-gthe breasts. It also eliminatesthe neoessity'ior a back strap together with its fastening'member.

The'present invention contemplates a unitary frame structure formed ofone or more lengths of slender, elongate, resilient material. It may bemade of'wire cr'of a plastic material such as "*iLzuciteg" which' hasconsiderable elasticity, the presently preferred material beingstainless, rust reslstingsprlng wireha-ving adia-meter of about threethirty-seconds of an inch or slightly less.

Y The frame is of generally -C -shape in horizontal projection toconform to and resiliently grip the body-oithe'wearer and defines ingeneral a figure tin vertical projection, providing two loops serving asbreast receiving openings. The frame is covered'with a brassiere body offabric or other suitablematerial substantially of conventional tomprovided with a pocket'member to receive the frame. Expansion of thechest resulting from normal breathing is accommodated by yielding of thespring material in bending with very little change in the light,resilient pressure ofrtheirame on the body.

'Ihewire-elements making up the frame cross each other at the plane ofsymmetry and are free The frame in my oo pending application includes anelement at the loweredge extending entirely'across the central portion;When it is incorporated in' a garment such as acne-piece bathing suit,this elernentten'ds to form an unsightly projection.

However;v in the present invention, the lower frame=elements rise asthey approach thecenter line-,- following the form of the body moreclosely, and: thus eliminate th projection. mentioned sire, it will beapparent that the frame member may be attached directly to any type ofgarment,

such as a one-piece bathing suit, a slip, a formal gown or the like.

Other features and advantages will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds.

While the invention may take numerous forms, those which are presentlypreferred are illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which.

Figure l is a three-quarter rear view in perspective of one form of thebrassiere frame ofthis invention with the cover removed;

Figure 2 is a rear elevational View of said frame with the cover inplace, but with a portion thereof broken away;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the frame;

Figure 4 is a side elevational View of the frame; and

Figure 5 is a rear elevational view of a modified form of the frameincorporating shape adjusting means.

Referring first to Figure l, the basic frame, generally indicated byreference character I0, is made up of two elements l2 and I4 of slender,elongate, resilient material, such as spring wire. These elements aresymmetrical with respect to each other and are provided withthree-dimensional curves. Thus, element I2 has a left hand portion [6provided with an upwardly convex arch and having a reverse curve inplanform, and a right hand portion [8 lying generally in a horizontalplane and having a reverse curve in planform.

Right and left hand portions 20 and 22 of element M are complementary toportions 16 and I8, and the elements are joined at their ends 24 and 26,as by welding in the case of wire or cementing in the case of plastic.Any other desired method of connection may be used, and the entire framemay be made from a single length of material having a single connectionat any desired point. It is to be understood that the term element asused in the subjoined claims is intended to define not a separate pieceof material joined to other pieces of material but rather such part ofany entire frame as is indicated by the terms of the particular claim.

It will be seen from Figures 2 and 3 that elements I2 and [4 cross overeach other substantially at the plane of symmetry of the frame and thattogether they form in general a figure 8- in vertical projection and aC-shape in horizontal projection, with the arched portion of one elementlying generally above the horizontal portion of the other element, thusdefining a breast receiving opening at each side of the plane ofsymmetry. The C-shape of the entire frame, as seen in Figure 3, conformsto the body of the wearer and, because of the nature of the material,resiliently but firmly grips the body. Expansion of the chest increasesthe radial dimensions and causes corresponding expansion of the frame.This is taken care of by outward bending along the: entire 'length ofthe frame and, since the bending atany one point is very slight. theincrease in radial pressure is negligible. This feature makes one frameadaptable to a relatively large range of chest sizes.

The elements of the frame are free to move with respect to each otherwhere they cross in order to permit the frame to follow every movementof the wearer. They separate only slightly even with extreme movementsbut, if desired, a loop or link 28 may be provided as indicated inFigure 1 to loosely encircle both elements and limit the extent of suchseparation.

The brassiere is completed by the provision of a cover member mounted onthe frame in a novel manner. A first piece of material 30 of the typeconventionally used in brassieres is provided with anoutline'corresponding to that of the frame but slightly larger. Theusual cup portions 32 and 34 are formed therein as indicated in Figure2. A

second piece of material 36 of the same conformation is attached to thefirst piece along a line corresponding with the outline of the frame toform apocket completely enclosing the frame and having a relativelynarrow center portion, as at 38, with a wider portion to each sidethereof.

At one free end of the cover the material of member 30 terminatesslightly short of the extreme end, as at 40 and .a small fiap member 42is-.provided .to complete the covering. This flap member slightlyoverlaps edge 40, terminating at 44 to provide an entrance to thepocket. The other free end of the cover may be completely closed or itmay be formed in the same manner as the first free end. To insert theframe in the .covenit is progressively. collapsed and inserted thrutheopening formed by parts 40, 42, 44. After it has been inserted, itexpands to completely fill out the pocket and the brassiere is ready foruse,

with-flap 42 covering the last entering portion of the frame. v

. Tabs 46 and 48 are provided on the cover member in. case it isdesiredto attach shoulder straps for added uplift, and tabs 50 are provided forthe attachment. of back tie members which may be furnished on swimmingsuit brassires. These tie members maybe tucked under the ends of thebrassire coverwhen not needed.

When the invention is applied to any more extensive garment-a piece'ofmaterial such as so -'or 36 is attached, as by sewing, to the maingartion in the garment if desired.

.; Means are provided in the modification illustrated in Figure 5 foraltering the shape of the frame. Elements 52. and 54 are each providedwith two detents 56 and 58 in the form of short reverse bends. Upperandlower loops or links 60 and 162 loosely encircle the two elements.Whenthese loops -lie together at the point of crossing-the framehastheshape of Figures 1 to 4. However, when the loops-are moved to theposition shown in Figure 5 they draw the adjacent portions of elements52 and 54 together intoga more nearly vertical position and the frameconsequently becomes higher and narrower. Similarly, rearrangement ofthe loops and detents-mayprovidefor making the frame flatter .and widerthan normal.

I It will be seen that the novel type of brassiere herein-disclosedis-suitable for all types of wearing apparel and provides maximumcomfort and convenience while eliminating the discomforts and;disadvantages-of-zpreviously known types.

While several preferred forms of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed hereinabove, it will be apparent that various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the invention, and itis intended that all such changes and modifications shall be embracedwithin the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A frame for a garment comprising: a structure of filamentaryresilient material; the elements of said structure defining a closedloop at each side of the plane of symmetry to serve as a breastreceiving opening; the free ends of said loops being curved out of thegeneral vertical plane of the medial portion, but lying substantially inthe horizontal plane of the lower edge of said frame, to definetherewith a generally C-shape to conform to and grip the body of thewearer; and the adjacent portions of said loops being so connected toeach other as to be capable of substantial resistance to bending.

2. A frame for a garment comprising: a slender elongate element ofresilient material defining an open framework in the general form of afigure 8; one loop of the figure being located at each side of the planeof symmetry of the frame; each loop expanding rapidly adjacent the planeof symmetry and converging gradually to a relatively small arcuate freeend; said element crossing over itself loosely at the juncture of theloops at the plane of symmetry; said framework being curved generally ina C-shape to conform to and resiliently grip the body of the wearer.

3. A frame for a garment comprising: a unitary structure of filamentaryresilient material generally defining a C-shape in horizontal projectionand a figure 8 in vertical projection; the elements of said structurecrossing each other substantially at the plane of symmetry and beingfree to move with respect to each other; a detent formed on each elementclosely above and below the point of intersection; and tie meansengaging the detents to alter the shape of the frame.

4. A womans garment comprising: a unitary frame structure of filamentaryresilient material r generally defining a C-shape in horizontalprojection and a figure 8 in vertical projection; the elements of saidstructure crossing each other substantially at the plane of symmetry andbeing free to move with respect to each other; and a garment memberhaving breast supporting portions and provided with a single pocketmember having substantially the same form as the outline of said framestructure and having a relatively small opening at one end; said framestructure by virtue of its resiliency being adapted to be temporarilydeformed to insert it in said pocket member.

5. A frame for a garment comprising: a coextensive pair of elements offilamentary resilient material, each of said elements extendingunbrokenly from end to end of said frame across the plane of symmetrythereof and the ends of said elements being joined to each other at saidframe ends; said elements being arranged to cross each other in thegeneral form of an X at the plane of symmetry of said frame to form agenerally vertical frontal plane; the upper portion of each element insaid frontal plane defining an upwardly convex arch; the lower portionof each element in said frontal plane being substantially horizontal andlying substantially directly below the arched portion of the otherelement to define therewith a breast receiving opening; both ends ofeach element being curved rearwardly out of said frontal plane to extendaround and resiliently grip the body of the wearer.

6. A frame for a garment comprising: a plurality of slender elongateelements of resilient material fixeclly joined to each other to define aunitary open framework in the general form of a figure 8; one loop ofthe figure being located at each side of the plane of symmetry of theframe; each loop expanding rapidly adjacent the plane of symmetry andconverging gradually to a relatively small free end; said elementscrossing over each other loosely at the juncture of the loops at theplane of symmetry; said framework being curved generally in a c-shape toconform to and resiliently grip the body of the wearer.

HENRY H. BRUDERLIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,837,958 Ferrero Dec. 22, 19312,013,554 DeBenedetto Sept. 3, 1935 2,045,401 Mowry June 23, 19362,343,631 Bailey Mar. '7, 1944 2,414,590 Folb Jan. 21, 1947 2,420,593Gluckin May 13, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 548,17? FranceOct. 13, 1922 854,831 France Jan. 29, 1940

